Quite a lot of rain on Saturday, August 28 – heavy in the evening. Linda came and cut our hair just after 11am, and I had a bath. Then after lunch Dot went to the football match: City beat Burnley 4-1, which made her pretty happy. Unfortunately Spurs lost to Newcastle, as we discovered when David FaceTimed in the evening after we’d had steak and ale pie. He seems optimistic, however. Watched cricket – much of it washed out – and the Championship highlights, as well as the end of Paddington 2 again, which we happened on by chance. Sent birthday cards to Kristine and Joy.
Sunday – Mixture of sun and cloud. Dot spent most of the day doing the last preparations for her holiday with Anne. Gave garden advertising post to Joe, who says he will use the wood for shelves! Later Des came over and asked about our seeing them when Dot comes back, to view their pictures from their rail adventures. I managed to do over 5000 indoor steps, and did some clearing up as usual. Also cooked sausages for supper. England beat Pakistan easily in second Test. One of the Pakistan players got 97, and was caught on the boundary. Thought it would have been nice if the fielder deliberately dropped it, just to give them something, but of course he didn’t. Didn’t go to church, which was a joint service at St Luke’s, but discovered afterwards that Ray’s funeral will be on the 18th. Happily, we shall be able to go, though Dot has another funeral (Ann Curran) later the same day, and a theatre date with Anne in the evening.
Monday – Threatening rain much of the time, but I don’t think it actually did. Strangely slow motion in the morning as Dot put the final touches to her preparations for her holiday. Anne arrived about 11.30 and they went over to the station – with me – just before 12 to catch the 12.30 train. Bit worried about the weight of Dot’s case, but too late to unpack. Anne bought some coffees at the station, and they boarded in good time.
I went home and spent nearly two hours in the garden, cutting back at front and rear. Got jumper and trousers dirty; so put them in the wash while I had a bath and read a bit. Dot rang to say she’s reached London OK, and we had a couple of other chats, one because I thought she might have my glasses; still not sure she hasn’t. They went out for a pizza in the evening; I had pea and hock soup. Watched a bit of TV and went to bed early, feeling pretty tired. Several times while I was watching TV I had the odd sensation that Dot was there too.
Tuesday – Dry and fairly warm. Went to Archant Pensioners’ breakfast as usual and was glad to see Tricia there, so that I could sit in the usual place and have breakfast without appearing to start a splinter group. So I did that, but to be honest the breakfast wasn’t very good. Still, had a long chat with Tricia: neither she nor Brian are in very good health. His nephew is going to sort out a phone for him; so I don’t have to worry about that. Afterwards I went to Morrisons and spent £100, even though there was only one of me. Noticed the garage is operating normally again.
Had a chat (well, two) with Des: his car won’t be ready till at least Friday and will cost well over £300, but he won’t need a lift from me tomorrow because his daughter is doing the errand in question. Cut some little branches off the tree in the front, because I noticed it was hitting me as I came in. Later sorted out the bins: Des had put some stuff in the brown one and moved it out on to the pavement. Meanwhile I lay down because I was feeling very tired and later read quite a bit of Howard’s brother’s book on Revelation, which is very interesting. Had a lunchy sort of supper and watched Vuelta highlights. Had a sudden attack of violent sneezing; not sure why – perhaps I was sensitive to something in my lunch concoction. Didn’t feel ill. Earlier I had tried to ring my cousin Barbara, with the idea of going over to see her. But she didn’t answer.
Around teatime I walked over the Julian Bridge to get a few steps – ended the day well over 5000! Had been following Dot’s journey across France, taking in Marseille and Toulon etc, and she eventually arrived at Nice around 7pm. She seemed to be wandering around town; so I sent a message, but no reply. Eventually phoned her about 9.30 (10.30 Nice time), when she was eating in the Hotel Splendid’s rooftop restaurant. She phoned back at midnight Nice time and we had a chat. Think they’ll survive, though Anne left her shower bag in the London hotel. Dot said several people helped her with her case in stations and trains, which is nice. Or is it Nice?
Wednesday – Rather grey, but still quite warm. Rain from about 5.30pm. Read quite a bit and had a bath. Bridget arrived about 2pm and had a bit of trouble parking her car, partly because of the narrow space and partly because of her wrist. She was able to do the cleaning, though. I had lunch and did a couple of puzzles. When she left, about 4.50pm, she gave me a lift to Riverside so that I could walk across the river and home via King Street and the station. Sadly the rain started when I was halfway back. Not too heavy, but annoying, and not forecast.
Cooked salmon for supper and watched Vuelta – stage won by British sprinter Matthew Brennan (his third). Exchange of e-mails with Dot, who seems to be really enjoying Nice, which is 30 degrees, and with Kim, who is jiggered in Coventry. I think that means tired out, helping her daughter to move. Oh well, as Peter Green would say.